Welcome back, future accounting superstars! There’s a saying that “the early bird gets the worm” and that holds true for graduate school admissions too.
I applied early and I’m so glad I did! I submitted my application around the end of October. Since the Ross MAcc program has rolling admissions, I received an offer within a few weeks that included a Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)/Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) position. As a GSSA, I work about 7 hours a week in exchange for a partial tuition waiver and monthly stipend. I highly recommend applying by December 1, 2016 to receive priority scholarship consideration!
Another perk of applying early is the chance to attend Preview Day as an admitted student. Preview Day is open to all non U-M undergraduates applying for 2017 admission, which includes students who have applied and are awaiting their admissions decision, students who are in the process of applying, and students who have already been admitted. Applicants get the chance to meet with current MAcc students, staff, and faculty, and tour Ross, the University of Michigan campus, the Big House, and the Munger Graduate Residences. You can register for Preview Day here; spots are limited, so register soon!
I attended Preview Day last year and it was the largest factor in convincing me to attend the Ross MAcc program. I already liked the program on paper, since it had a flexible curriculum with lots of electives (including MBA classes!), was very reputable, and had a focus on building leaders. However, I was hesitant to come to Ross because I had never lived outside of California, and I had a great experience getting my bachelor’s degree. My previous university also had a master’s program in accounting, and it was tempting to stay in an environment where I knew I was comfortable and would not have to rebuild my life.
I ultimately decided to attend Ross because I wanted to challenge myself to grow. By being in a new environment, I would be learning from people with different perspectives and cultures. I had never been to the Midwest before Preview Day, and my last school was not as ethnically diverse as Michigan is. I also have the benefit of belonging to two alumni networks now, which will help create camaraderie and opportunity for the rest of my career.
Apply as early as you’re ready! A lot of people aren’t confident in their GMAT/GRE score or essays and put off their applications. The MAcc program’s admissions team is a group of amazing people who are happy to give advice on your test scores! They also look at applicants wholistically, so make sure your personality and passions shine through. I had a lot of fun crafting my essays and writing them can be a great break from GMAT studying.
Good luck as your prepare your applications and GO BLUE!
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